LAGOS, Nigeria (FN) — Police in Ogun State have arrested a 30‑year‑old private school teacher accused of kidnapping and killing a teenage girl who had been preparing to retake her West African Examinations Council (WAEC) papers. Authorities say the suspect, Nathaniel Baiyegun, squandered the ransom money on online sports betting.
By all appearances, Baiyegun lived a life that inspired trust. He taught physics and further mathematics at a private school in Ogijo, served as choir master in his church, and was seen by parents as an educator shaping young minds. But police allege that behind that image was a darker reality that ended in the tragic death of a 16‑year‑old former student.
The girl, who had completed secondary school last year but failed English and mathematics, hoped to rewrite WAEC this year. Baiyegun reportedly invited her to his coaching class on April 8. She never returned home. Her family later received a call demanding ₦3 million for her release. After bargaining, they paid ₦500,000, but she was never released. Her body was later found dumped in a river in Ogijo.
Police say Baiyegun was arrested weeks later by the Anti‑Kidnapping Section of the Ogun State Command. Investigators allege he had previously pressured the girl for nude photos and attempted to force her into a relationship with a friend, identified only as Sola. She was eventually held hostage in an uncompleted building.
In his statement to police, Baiyegun admitted to staging the kidnapping but claimed the killing was accidental. He said he gave the girl sleeping tablets after she complained of discomfort while being held. When he returned days later, he found her gasping for breath. He then carried her on a motorcycle, telling the rider she was sick, before dumping her body in a river.
Despite knowing she was dead, Baiyegun continued to demand ransom from her father. “Her father eventually sent ₦500,000 to me, but I didn’t tell him she was dead. I lied that she would be released once the ransom was paid,” he told investigators. He admitted spending most of the money on online sports betting.
Police spokesman DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi praised the Anti‑Kidnapping Unit for its “bravery, professionalism, and intelligence‑driven approach” in arresting the suspect. He urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible information.
The case has shocked the community, where Baiyegun was once seen as a role model. For the victim’s family, the tragedy has cut short the dreams of a young girl who only wanted a second chance at her exams and a brighter future.
